Mindanao, the Second Largest Island in the Philippines – April 1st, 2010

Mindanao is the easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also one of the three island groups in the country, along with Luzon and Visayas. Mindanao is surrounded by seas: the Sulu Sea to the west, the Philippine Sea to the east, and the Celebes Sea to the south.

Mindanao is the second largest island in the country at 94,630 square kilometers, and is the eighth most populous island in the world. The island of Mindanao is larger than 125 countries worldwide, including the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Czech Republic, Hungary, Taiwan and Ireland.

The island is mountainous, and is home to Mount Apo, the highest mountain in the country. Of all the islands of the Philippines, Mindanao and Borneo show the greatest variety of physiographic development. High, rugged, faulted mountains, almost isolated volcanic peaks, high rolling plateaus, and broad, level, swampy plains are found there.